Uganda appeals against decision to overturn tough anti-gay law
What you need to know:
- “We are unsatisfied with the court ruling and we have appealed,” Deputy Attorney-General Fred Ruhinda told AFP, adding that the appeal has been lodged at the Supreme Court, the country’s highest court.
- Activists Saturday gathered for their first gay-pride march since the law was overturned, waving rainbow coloured flags in celebration.
- US Secretary of State John Kerry had likened the law to anti-Semitic legislation in Nazi Germany, and Western nations made a raft of aid cuts to Uganda’s government.
KAMPALA, Saturday
Uganda’s attorney-general has filed an appeal against the constitutional court’s decision to overturn tough new anti-gay laws, his deputy said Saturday.
“We are unsatisfied with the court ruling and we have appealed,” Deputy Attorney-General Fred Ruhinda told AFP, adding that the appeal has been lodged at the Supreme Court, the country’s highest court.
“The law was not intended to victimise gay people, it was for the common good.”
Branded draconian and “abominable” by rights groups but popular domestically, the six-month old law which ruled that homosexuals would be jailed for life was scrapped on a technicality on August 1.
The legislation, signed by Uganda’s veteran President Yoweri Museveni in February, also outlawed the promotion of homosexuality and obliged Ugandans to denounce gays to the authorities.
Judges ruled it had been passed in December without the necessary quorum of lawmakers in parliament.
ANTI SEMITIC LEGISLATION
US Secretary of State John Kerry had likened the law to anti-Semitic legislation in Nazi Germany, and Western nations made a raft of aid cuts to Uganda’s government.
Critics said President Yoweri Museveni signed the law to win domestic support ahead of a presidential election scheduled for 2016, which will be his 30th year in power.
But it lost him friends abroad, with several international donors freezing or redirecting millions of dollars of aid, saying the country had violated human rights and democratic principles.
Analysts suggest the surprise court hearing last week was encouraged by Museveni, so as to quash the law without appearing to cave in to foreign pressure.
Activists Saturday gathered for their first gay-pride march since the law was overturned, waving rainbow coloured flags in celebration.
“This event is to bring us together. Everyone was in hiding because of the anti-homosexuality law,” organiser Sandra Ntebi told AFP. “It is a happy day for all of us, getting together,” Ntebi said, noting that police had granted permission for the invitation-only “Uganda Pride” rally. (AFP)
